Illuminating means for fountains



De- 31, 1940 E. G. TROWBRIDGE 2,226,915

ILLUMINATING MEANS FOR FOUNTAINS Filed July 5, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l rfaga/ffm@ Da 31, 1940 E. G. TROWBRIDGE 2,226,915

ILLUMINATING MEANS FOR FOUNTAINS Filed July 5, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheefl 3 v .il EHOMXW@ Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES,

ortica 1 7 claims.

This invention appertains toV fountain structures, and more especially to illuminating means -therefore as disclosed in my pending application Serial No. 168,495, filed October 11,1937, together. with improvements therein. Through provision of such illuminating means, novel and highly pleasing ornamental or scenic effects may be obtained, thus enhancing the beauty of the fountain.

As disclosed in my earlier application above referred to, the fountain embodies a fountain head which is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of water so that the water` may be directed outwardly and downwardly from the head in the form of a substantially unbroken dome-like sheet, and the light rays are preferably directed against the innersurface of the sheet of water, thereby causing the same to flare or glow in an unusual and very attractive manner. The fountain head is preferably of suchconstruction that thesamefis caused to Vrotate so that the sheet of water will vary in configuration from time to time. This produces a scintillating effect which contributes to the general beauty of the fountain. lIt isvto be understood, however, that while I pref-er to use the illuminating .means of the present invention in'conjunction with a fountain head of the special construction covered in my aforementioned applica-` tion, such conjoint use is not essential as the illuminating means may also be used to great advantage with other kinds of fountain heads, including those which produce either jets or sprays of water, or combinations of the same. Moreover, my special fountainhe'ad maybe employed without any illumination.` i

The illuminating means to which the" present application is primarily' directed embodies in general a plurality or series of" electric lamps7 preferably colored, which are arranged upon a suitable support for selective'use in forming different geometrical or `figurative designs.V the primary objects of the invention is to provide a means for conveniently `and effectively confining the light rays so that the design will be better defined, and at the same time, I` preferably provide a means for concealing the lights so that the design can only be seen from a point above the lights. i

To this end, the invention contemplates the provision of a plurality "of hollow shells which may be placed over the lights in such manner that the inner surfaces of the shells act asre.- iiectors, and the shells together form the geo- One of metrical or figurative designs. By varying the size and shape of the shells, which are` preferably open fromend to end, an unusually wide range of variation in the illuminated design as a whole may be effected at no, or at, the most, 5 very Vvlittle additional cost. v 4 V Byreason of the hollow form, of the reflecting shells, which are axially open so that the water mayfreely fall into Ythe same and pass out at the bottom thereof, I obtain the maximum illumihating yeffect at a minimum expenditure of electrical energy, as will hereinafter more fully appear. 1 i

Other objects and advantagesiof the invention will be hereinafter describedand the novel features thereof ldefined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a View, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, of an illuminated fountain' embodying myinvention; v i Figure; 2is1a fragmentary top plan View illus.v tratinga typical arrangement of the illuminating means to form -a distinctive, generally starshaped pattern or design;v 1

Figure 3V is a` Vfragmentary vertical sectional view villustrating certain improvementsin' the illuminating means disclosed in; my prior applica. tion, and having particular regardfor the ringlike shields whichencircle the lamp support and associated `reiiecting shells; f

Figure. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through one of the lamp sockets and its support, the lamp being shown in elevation; i .j Figure 5' is` a View in side elevation of a removable socket' plug; l l Figure 6y is a view in top plan of thearran'ge` ment shown inFigureIS, illustrating reflecting shells of`various sizes and shapes for forming various kindsv of designs or patterns;`

Figure Vl is a top plan view Iof the outer ringlike shield and its supporting means; i

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a pair of reflecting shells which may be used toY make up the Whole or a part of the illuminated design, one shell `being arrangedwithin the other, the outer shell being generally triangular in horizontal cross-section, and the'innershell being generally circular inrhorizontal cross section;` and Figure 9 'is a view in side elevation of the inner sh'ell `shown in Figure 8. Like reference `characters designate correr spending parts in the' several gures of the drawings.

Referring rst to the general fountain assembly in Figure 1, I designates a basin or tank forming a po-nd or pool for receiving the water as it is discharged from the fountain headl which is generally designated 2. This head is preferably located substantially centrally of the pond or pool, and may be of special construction, as disclosed in my pending application previously mentioned, or it may be of any other suitable type to produce one or more jets or sprays of water. As shown in the drawings, the basin or tank I is constructed of concrete but it is to be understood that a metal or other type of basin may be substituted therefor if desired, in which latter case the entire fountain construction may be preassernbled into more or less unitary form` prior to installation, if preferred; Disposed'at one side of the pond, and preferably* hou-sedw within a chamber o-r compartment 3, is a pump 4, having its intake 5 arranged to withdraw Wajter from the pond or pool through a screen or lter. The outlet 'I of the pump is connected through gmeans of a conduit 8 to the bottom of the fountain head 2, which is provided at its lower extremity with a threaded coupling 9 or other 'suitable connection. Ill designates an overflow pipe or outlet conduit, the upper extremity of which is disposed slightly below the upper edge of the basin I so that the water in the pond will not exceed a predetermined level. The lower end of the overflow pipe or conduit I is connected to a waste line II, leading to a suitable point of discharge such as a'sewer or the like, and if desired, a drain pipe I2, connected at one end to the Waste pipe II and communieating ywith the interior of the pump compartment 3 at its other end, may be provided to drain water which may seep into the compartment 3 or otherwise gain access to the compartment, as for example, through pump leakage.

It is to be understood' that the fountain is not limited to the use of a pump such as described above, since the fountain head 2 may, if preferred, be directly connected to a suitable water supply, such as the usual domestic or city water system. However, for the sake of economy, the water is preferably recirculated through the fountain, in which case, the pump may be availed of to withdraw the water from the pond or pool and force it through the fountain head at the desired pressure and rate of iiow. Following discharge from the fountain head, thewater is collected in the pond or pool so as to become available for recirculation.

Considering now the illuminating system which constitutes the invention of this application, I provide a base or plate I3 for supporting a plurality of electric lamps I4, preferably'of one or more colors. This plate I3 is composed of metal or any other suitable material, and is preferably circular in form and of a sizefto accommodate a fairly large number of lamps I4, according to the type or types of illuminated designs which are to be created, and the size of the fountain as a whole. As shown in the drawings, the plate is xedly mounted on the vertical section 8 of the water supply line 8 so as to be positioned slightly above the water line I ofthe pond or pool.' `Other ways of supporting the plate I3 will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the artVand it is therefore to be understood that itis not essential that the plate'be mounted on the water supply' line, or that' the fountain head be disposed in the center of the pond. However, in the case where my .special fountain head is employed, I preferably make the plate I3 slightly greater in diameter than the maximum lateral spread of the sheet of water produced by the head, so that the sheet of water will fall principally onto the plate near `the marginal edge of the latter when the fountain head is adjusted to the maximum lateral spread of the water. The outer edge of the plate I3 is preferably curved downwardly, as at I6, so that the water which is deposited on the plate can freely run off and fall into the pond or pool.

A plurality ofv openings I'I is provided in the plate I3 for the reception of lamp sockets I8, which may be of standard construction or otherwise, .as desired, the sockets being suitably secured to the plate, as by means of bolts or screws I9, as best seen in Figures 1 and 4. By arranging *the lamps I4vin the sockets I8 in various orders,

y from time to time by a rearrangement of the lamps.

In order to make the patterns or designs more pronounced, and to obtain a maximum intensity of illumination with a minimum consumption of electrical energy, I preferably provide aplurality of hollow shells which are positioned over the lamps I4 in such manner that the light rays will be reflected against the inner surfaces of the shells and principally confined in an upward direction. One typical arrangement of the shells is shown in Figure 2, wherein each of the shells designated 20 is generally triangular in horizontal cross-section and the group of shells forming a star-shaped pattern. The lower ends of the shells rest upon the base plate I3 with their vertical walls disposed inspaced relation to the lamps I4. The shells are preferably of uniform height, and their upper extremities preferably `extend'slightly above the lamps I4. In order to prevent water from collecting and remaining Within the shells and thus submergingthe lamps, the lower extremities of the shells are preferably notched, as indicated at 2| in Figuresjl, 2 and 8. These cut away portions of the shells allow the water to freely escape therefrom as it falls into the open upper extremities of the same, and pass outwardly towards themarginal edge of the base plate I3 where it can run olf into the pool. Instead of notching or cutting away thelower edges of the shells, as above mentioned, the shells may be spaced slightly above the base plate I3 by any suitable spacing meanswhich will permit the water to freely pass beneath the shells and over the base plate. After assembling the shells to form the particular design desired, they may be secured together by any suitable fastening means so as to prevent inadvertent displacement thereof. In Figures 6 and 8, I have'shown a simple form of fastening means, designated 22, comprising a generally U-shaped member of relatively stiff and springy wire or other suitable material which may be forced over thek contiguous edges of Vadjacent shells, thereby clamping the same together, as will be obvious. It isto be understood, however, that I do not wish to be limited to any particular form of fastening means, and in most instances, the fastening means may be omitted since the weight of the shells is ordinarily sufficient to maintain the same in assembledrelation after the design has been made up.

Provision is made for sealing the lamps I4 relatively to the sockets I8 to prevent the ventrance of water into the sockets and'consequently minimize' short circuits;` ,As shown in Figure `4l, a rubber or other yieldable ring-like gasket 23 is applied to the base of each lamp It before it is screwed into its socket, and as the lamp is screwed asesora into the socket, the gasket will be. compressed or clamped between the upper extremity ofthe sockety and the contiguous wall offtheglass bulb.'

as clearly shown in Figure 4.

In forming the star-shaped` design shownin Figure-2, less than all of the lamp socketsV I8 need be availed of. As previously mentioned, however, there is a socket mounted in each opening Il' in the base plate I3 so that changes in the design or pattern of the illuminating means may be` quickly made when desired.- Those lamps which are not needed to make up the'predetermined, design may be removed from their sockets and a plug generally designated 24, as' yshown in Figure 5, may be screwed into each `enfiptysocket,` thereby excluding the water therefrom.` This plug 24 is composed of a threaded body 25 adapt' ed tomate with the threads With which the lamp sockets are provided, and at the upper-extremity of the threaded body 25, there is: provided an enlarged head 2S which serves as a knob to facilitate the application of the plug to the socket and the removal of the plug when it is desired to substitute the plugs for the lamps, and vice versa. A flexible or yieldable washer or gasket 21 positioned around the threaded body 25 just below` the head or knob 26v serves to effectively seal the plug relatively to the socket when the plug is screwed firmly into the samanthereby clamping the gasket 21 between the head ,2,5 and the upper edge of the socket I8, as will be obvious.

The lamps may be arranged in one or more. circuits suitably connected to asource of electrical energy. As shown in Figure l, 28 designates an electrical cable which leads from` a source of electrical energy (not shown) to the lamp and pump motor circuits. `According to the ararngement illustrated, the lamps are arranged in two separate circuits, each of whichV is independently controlledV by the respective switches 29 and 30. A third switch l3| serves to control the pump motor 32 which is operatively connected with the pump 4 `to drive the latter.`

The circuit arrangement may be Varied as desired, andthe typicall arrangement which is shown in` Figure 1 will be readily understood Without requiring further description of the same. Obviously, by suitably actuating-the switches 29 and3, the illumination affordediby the lampsy may be varied somewhat without any variation of the arrangement ofthe lamps themselves.` `Onthe` other hand,V further variationsof the illu-- mination maybe, effected by rearrangingv the lamps in theivarious sockets `provided on the base plate I3, with or Without varying the arrangement. of the hollow shellsZU. The lamp socketsare preferably all connected by a Waterproof cable 28 in one or the other'of the lamp circuits controlled by the switches 29 and 33, so that no changes in the circuit 'wiring are required to` modify the illuminating effect. I

Referring particularlyto Figures 6, several different types' of reflecting shells have been shown. In Figure 6 the triangular shells 2|] `hereinbefore referred to are illustratedin an arrangement somewhatvdifferent from the star a and 9,`

cross-section.. In each case, the shells are hollow, whichy is tofsay,fthey are open at their upperl extremities,"` and provision is preferably made at their lower extremities so that the Water may passvout': of' the same vand over the base plate I3 towards: the" outer margins of the latter. I have foundthat suchL an, arrangement constitutes a substantial' improvement over illuminating means formerly; used inY association with fountains` and embodyingv an arrangement of lights which are covered byglass or` other transparent` or translucentLA material. In these prior constructions justreferred to;I the electric lamps are sealed Water-tightinoney or more compartments, thus trappingair, thevcompartment. By reason of the difference in-temperature within the lamp compartments and outside of the compartments (having i'nmind` that the heat generated by the lamps raises `thetemperature of the air withinthe lamp* compartments, whereas the water outside ofthe compartments cools the air), there isiaaten'dency for moisture to condense within thelamp` compartments causing the glass or other transparent or translucent cover to become clouded or fogged.v This results in a material reduction the intensity of the illumination which must be suitably compensated for, if at all, byan increase in the candlepower of the electriclamps. My 'illuminating system completely avoids these objections, and` I am able to attain an unusually; high efliciency of illumination through employing the open shells hereinbefore described. The inner surfaces of the shells serve as reflecting surfaces, and the water which falls into the shells `and flows over the base plate I3 forms an additional reflecting surface.

`Also in Figures, 8 and9, I have shown a cylindrical shell.20" which is especially useful in combination with the triangular shells 2|). The diameter of the shell 20" is preferably such that the shell will iit within the triangular shell, as best shownk in Figures 6 and 8. The lower extremity of the cylinder is notched or cut away at spaced intervals, as at 2|', to allow the water to escape as previously explained. Of course, the shells 20" "may be used alone or in combination with one or more differently shaped shells so that it is possible to make uppractically an infinite number of different designs with a very few different types of shells.

Referring now to Figures 3, 6 and 7, I have shown avsomewhat modied structure wherein one or more shields are employed to improve the appearance of the illuminating means especially in certain types of designs. 32 designates a ringlike shield which extends around the base plate I3 and assembly of lights and reflecting shells carried thereby, the shield being preferably secured to the downwardly turned edge I6 of the base plate I3, vas by means of bolts 33 and spacer means 34, the latter being arranged at intervals between the shield 32 and the rim I6 of the baseplate. Thus the water flowing over the base plate I3 is allowed to fall over the rim I6 between the rim and the shield 32. The upper edge of the shield 32 is preferably disposed substantially on a level with` the upper extremity of the reflecting shells, thus concealing the laterally exposed faces of the reflecting shells and preventing the illuminated design from being seen excepting when viewed from a position somewhat above the level of the lights I4. This shield 32 may be used alone, or in combination with another ring-like shield 35 spaced outwardly from the same, this latter shield being: supported by any suitable means such as a spider 36 and' vertical standards- 3lv to 'whiclfthe radial arms'of the spider `36 areV secured at their outer extremities. The standards 31 may beextended upwardlyabove the spider and fastened to theshield `35i adjacent to itsupper extremity by suitable fastening means such as clamps 38. The lower extremity of the shield 35 vmayre'st upon the radial arms lof'the-spiderSB. The `upper edgevof the shield .35 is preferably rolled over, as at 39, toy form a finishing bead, thus improving the appearance. If desired, the shield 35 maybe used without vthe .shield :32, especiallyzin'cases where provision is .made for :rotating the base .plate I3 which carries the lights and .reflecting shells. Since the instrumentalities `for imparting rotation to the base plate are not essential to the present invention, they have not been shown in the drawings and will not be described herein.

The shields'32 and 35, or either of them, 'ef-v fectively prevent the wind from displacing or 'disyarranging the reecting shields when the fountain structure is located outof doors, thus making itr unnecessary to fasten the reliecting shells to the base plate I 3.` It is to be understood that the fountain structure is applicable to private as Well as p-ublic use. By privateuse, I particularlyhave reference to lawns, yards, gardens, etc. of private homes, as distinguished from public parks. The simplicity and compactness of form ofthe fountain, and the relatively low cost of operation of the illuminating means contributes substantially to the utility of the fountain for such private use.

While the specific details have been herein shown 'and described, the invention is not `con-I fined thereto, as-changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure' by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a fountain, inducingmeans for discharging a liquid in a generally upward direction so that the sameY will ultimately fall downwardly under the iniiuenced of gravity,

of illuminating inea-ns compri-singpa substantiallyl horizontal support, a pluralityiof electric lamps mounted on said support atfspaced intervals, and reiiecter means associated with said electric lamps for forming a predetermined design or pat'- tern -which is visible only from a point above the elevation of the lamps, said reectormeans com-` prising a plurality ofhollowshells carried by said support and having.y substantially vertical walls as; to form axially .open lampcomp'artmen'ts;

disposed in spaced relation tothe lamps so 2. Apparatus asdened in claim 1, wherein the lower edges of the reiiecting shell are spacedfrom the lamp support at one'or more points soas tol permit the liquidy whichomay fall intojthe upper open ends ofthe shells to pass outat 'the lower extremities of the shells and flow over the surface of the lamp support.

3. Apparatus as defined in claiml l, in combination with an annular shield extendingA about the lamp support and the lamps'and reflecting shells carried thereby, said shield being-spaced from the outer ymargin of the lamp support so as to provide a passage therebetweenp'for allowing any liquid which may fall onto the lamp support to pass off the -same 'at its outer edge, and the upper extremity of the shield being positioned substantially on a level with the upper extremities of the reilecting shells.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in combination with an annular shield extending about the lamp support and the lamps and reflecting shells carried thereby, said shield being secured to the margin of the lamp support in spaced relation thereto so as to form a passage therebetween for allowing any liquid which may fall onto the lamp support to pass off the same at ts outer edge, and the upper extremity of the shi ld being positioned substantially on a level with the upper extremities of the reflecting shells.

5. Apparatus as dened in claim 1, in combination with an annular shield extending about the lamp support and the lamps andreecting shells carried thereby, said shield being secured to the margin of the lamp support in spaced relation thereto so as to form a passage therebetween for allowing any liquid which may fall onto the lamp support to pass off the same at its outer edge, and the upper extremity of the Shield being positioned substantially on a level with the upper extremities of the reflecting shells, and another annular shield surrounding the rst mentioned annular shield in spaced relation thereto and supported independently thereof.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim l, in combi' nation with an annular shield extending about the lamp support and the lamps and reflecting shells carried thereby, said shield being secured to the margin of the lamp support in spaced relation thereto so as to form a passage therebetween for allowing any liquid which may fall onto the lamp support to pass off the same at its outer edge, and the upper extremity of the shield being positioned substantially on a level with the upper extremities of the reiiecting shells, and another annular shield surrounding the first mentioned annular shield in spaced relation thereto, and supporting' means for said other shield comprising a spider disposed below the lamp support, and a plurality of vertical standards secured to the spider at spaced intervals.

7. In a fountain, a basin, a water supply pip extending vertically upwardly from said basi a fountain head mounted on the upper end of said supply pipe for producing an unbroken substantially dome-shaped sheet of water spreading laterally from the head and downwardly into the basin, and illuminating means Amounted within the unbroken portion of the dome-shaped sheet of water above the basin aforesaid so that the light rays will be reflected against the inner side of the sheet and cause the water to are or glow, said illuminating means including a horizontally disposed support mounted on the vertical supply pipe, a plurality of axially erect electric lamps mounted on said support and arranged at spaced intervals about the supply pipe, a'nd -ieflector means associated with the Velectric lamps andarra'nge'dto form a pattern or design, 

